History
In the late 1880s, lots in the area we now call the Southwest Hills were going for $250. The Portland Cable Railway Company, formed in 1887, planned to hit it big with its cable car line that would open up the hills for residential development. The track took passengers from Union Station along SW 5th to SW Jefferson and over to SW 18th (formerly Chapman St), where it began the significant climb up to Elizabeth Street.
There were a couple of accidents involving runaway cable cars early on, and the Railway Company went under as a result of overzealous expansion into other residential areas. The cable car line was ultimately purchased by the bank and incorporated, so that cable car service would continue. The Portland Traction Company took over the route, converting it to electric in the 1890s. Rail lines spurred early development, but the area blossomed as a residential destination alongside the popularization of the automobile.
The neighborhood was always a destination for the affluent both because building and living in it required more significant means, and because it was considered a respite from the smoke and dust of the city’s industrial development along the Willamette River.
An electric railway route to Council Crest, the highest peak in Portland, was constructed around the time of the 1905 Lewis and Clark Expo. The journey to the 1700 ft peak was popular with residents and tourists. On a clear day, the view at the top included five mountains in the Cascade Range: Mt Hood, Mt Adams, Mt St Helens, Mt Jefferson, and Mt Rainier. The park has a colorful history, including a stint as an amusement park, and has always been a treasured place in Portland. Railway service to the park ran until about 1950.
Residential development in the Southwest Hills has continued throughout the decades resulting in a diversity of architectural styles including ranch, colonial, craftsman, contemporary, and a handful of Victorians. There are numerous high-end residential properties, including some notable historic residences like the Frank J. Cobbs House, designed by renowned Portland architect George D. Mason. The hills also have some multi-family properties, including condos, townhouses, and apartment buildings.
The area has remained primarily residential and is a favorite neighborhood and destination for those Portlanders who enjoy hiking, trail running, and mountain biking.
Amenities
The curvy boundaries of the Southwest Hills mirror the winding streets throughout this mostly residential neighborhood. The Northeastern bordery is a combination of a stretch of the I-405, the full length of SW Cardinell Drive, and a couple other turns and twists along SW Vista until it connects with Highway 26, which marks the entire northern edge of the neighborhood.
The western edge of the neighborhood is just shy of Highway 8, and the southern boundary winds along SW Scholls Ferry Road, SW Patton, SW Fairmount Blvd, before it cuts northeast through the Marquam Nature Park to SW Terwilliger and meets with the I-405. Residents have easy access to both highways and great proximity to downtown Portland and OHSU.
Ainsworth Elementary is the only school within the neighborhood boundary. The nearest Portland Public Schools for middle school and high school are West Sylvan Middle School, and Lincoln High School.
Points of Interest
The parks are the stars of the Southwest Hills neighborhood. Council Crest Park has attracted visitors and residents alike. An amusement park (aka Dreamland of the Northwest) was operational atop this peak from 1907 to 1921. Only one remnant of the park remains today; the Water Tower used to be a 70-foot tall observatory. The rest of the park was demolished in the 1940s. Council Crest Park is accessible via car, on foot along one of the many residential streets that lead to it or the popular Marquam Trail.
Marquam Nature Park is another treasured respite in the neighborhood. The northwestern part of the 178-acre Park is within the neighborhood boundary. In the 1960s, developers were planning to build a 600-unit apartment complex in the Marquam Ravine. Residents of the neighborhoods around the natural area came together to fight the development and preserve the land for public use. The group incorporated as Friends of Marquam Nature Park. Portland Parks & Recreation took over the park in 1979 and continue to manage it in partnership with volunteers from Friends of Marquam Nature Park.
Another notable park in the neighborhood is Portland Heights Park. At nearly 5.5 acres, the property boasts a play structure, picnic areas, tennis and basketball courts, a softball diamond, and a soccer field. Situated near the center of the neighborhood, along SW Patton road, the park is just a few blocks away from the Marquam Trail that connects Council Crest Park to Washington Park on the other side of Highway 26.
Culture
There is little in the way of commercial activity, the sole restaurant in the neighborhood at this time is long-standing Vista Spring Cafe. The cafe is in the northeastern quadrant of the community, across the street from Ainsworth Elementary, and is a family-friendly spot offering pizzas, hamburgers, and salads.
The only grocery store in the neighborhood (Strohecker’s), formerly located on SW Patton, closed a couple of years ago. The neighborhood association is keeping tabs on proposed plans for the property. Current details are available here (scroll down a bit).
The Southwest Hills is a quiet, residential neighborhood where many properties appear to be peeking out from a never-ending swath of greenery. Outdoor enthusiasts will feel right at home in this area where they can walk to some of Portland’s most popular trails (i.e., Marquam and Wildwood). Easy access to Washington Park–home to the Japanese Gardens, International Rose Test Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, Portland Children’s Museum, World Forestry Center, and the Oregon Zoo–just on the other side of Highway 26, the northern boundary, is also a huge perk.
Southwest Hills at a Glance
Southwest Hills Neighborhood Boundary Map
Southwest Hills Residential League (neighborhood association)
Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc (coalition of 17 southwest neighborhoods)
Southwest Hills Census Data (2000, 2010)